In a routine press conference, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on August 4, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari expressed shock and awe over the indifferent attitude of the media over the communal situation in Assam where Muslims have remained at the receiving end of the violence. “English press is not writing anything concerned with the Muslim atrocities nor is the Hindi press,” he said and mentioned the article written by HS Brahma, Election Commissioner of India, who projected Bangla-speaking Muslims of Assam as illegal migrants. He challenged the notion that Muslims in Assam are migrants and said that the facts and records prove that the Bengali speaking Muslims are out and out Indians and they have been living in the country for more than 200 years.
As for the victims of this communal riot, the Jamaat demanded compensations at par with the compensation paid to the victims of 1984 Sikh riots. “A delegation from JIH went to Assam to visit the affected areas and initiated the relief work in 17 camps, along with providing medical and legal assistance,” said one of the delegation members.
Maulana Umari then drew the attention towards the atrocities on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and termed it as against all international laws and conventions. Condemning the killings, he demanded violence to be stopped with immediate effect and called for the protection of the rights of Rohingya Muslims as they are the citizens of that country. He further called upon the United Nations to intervene in the crisis and ensure that the Myanmar government takes positive steps in this regard. He also expressed hope that the Indian government, out of human sympathy, would provide the necessary help and facilities to the Rohingyas who have taken refuge in our country.
Addressing the now full blown issue of Akbarabadi mosque, Maulana Umari expressed sorrow over the government’s attitude which is placing hurdles in the reconstruction of the mosque and restoration of prayers therein. “The historical facts stand in favour of the mosque and if hurdles in freeing and rehabilitating of mosque are not removed, then it would be the second act of injustice by the independent India’s government, after the British in 1857,” he said. However, as per the way forward for Muslims, Maulana Umari drew the attention of the Muslims to peacefully struggle for the restoration of the mosque with patience, wisdom and collective endeavours.